Disappearing carriage for guns mounted on board submersible craft and for other likeuses



N. E. METHLIN ARRIAGE FOR GUNS MOUN 1,796,573 DISAPPEARING C TED 0N BOARD SUBMERSIBLE CRAFT AND FOR OTHER LIKE USES Filed OCT'. l5. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 v1 ,mm --.m5 z-- mm l :E f d l! N. E. METHLIN 1,796,573 A DISAPPEARING CARRIAGE FOR GUNS MOUNTED 0N BOARD March 17, 1931.

SUBMERSIBLE CRAFT AND FOR OTHER LIKE USES Flled OC. l5, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 5:17, 1931 N. E. METHLIN 1,796,573

IHSPPEARING CARRIAGE FOR GUNS MOUNTED ON BOARD SUBIERSIBLE CRAFT AND FOR OTHER LIKE USES Filed Oct. l5, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Hg. s.

yJ WM. W Z MW m Marchl7, 1931. N. E. METHLIN 1,796,573

DISAPPEARING CARRIAGE FOR Guus MOUNTED ou BOARD sumar-msnm cRAFT AND Fon OTHER LIKE usas Filed Oct. 15, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 if /C' Patented Mar. 17, 1931 NICOLAS EMILIEN TIIETHLIN, F PARIS, FRANCE, ASSIGCR- TO SCHNEIDER & CIE., OF PARIS, FRANCE, A LIMITEDOINT-STCCK COMPANY OF FRANCE nrsnrrnanine CARRIAGE non Guns MoUN'rnnoN BOARD SUBMERSIBLE CRAFT AND A' non OTHER LiKE Usns Application filled October 15,1927, Serial No. 226,357, and in France December 18, 1926.4

There exist a fairly considerable number of devices 'itted to guns mounted on board submersible and other crat't, which enable a gun to be made'to disappear when it is not in `action and, inversely, to be brought back above the ship with a view to carrying out tiring.

In the greater part of these known devices the disappearance of the gun is eiected by means of levers or arms pivoted, on the one raised alternately moving with pivots which are themselves movable.

The disappearing carriage whichforms the subject of the present invention comprises in all and for all a single pivot carried by jfixed bearings, the mass to be made to disappear being however as small as possible. This result is essentially obtained by dividing the lower carriage or frame into two superposed elements, the upper element forming a crinoline mount or step bearing for the pivot of the top carriage which carries the gun and being pivoted to the lower fixed element carrying the horizontal pivot, about which the whole of the gun is lowered or raised, of the top carriage and of the said upper element or crinoline mount.

These two super-posed elements between which, in order to make the disappearance and subsequent righting possible, it is not possible to make a permanent connection, are combined with an engaging or hooking device which permits the element which can be lowered, to be locked upon the fixed element when the gun is raised into its working position and can, on the other hand, be brought into a disengaged position for the operations producing the disappearance and the subsequent righting.

According toa particular embodiment of the invention, the lock between the folding down Velement of theundencarriage and of the fixed element is obtained by means of a rotatable hooking device having its centre upon the axis of the pivot of the top carriage and adapted to be operated by means ot the mechanism itself` by which the pivoting mass 1s made to disappear and is righted. This righting operation and the hooking operation, as, on the other hand, the disengagement and disappearance, are obtained in a continuous manner by the interposition of a double clutch between theoperat-ing member and the two mechanisms to be operated successively.V

Such an embodiment of therinvention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing.

Figl is a sectional elevation of a general arrangement of a disappearing carriage constructed according to the' invention and mounted upon a submersible boat, the gun being shown in full lines in its working posi tion and in dot and dash lines in its withdrawn position.

Fig. 2 is a corresponding sectionalplan of a part, to a larger scale, taken along the line 9.-2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of a part, the section being taken along the line 3 3 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of a part,

' with the section taken along the line 4--4 of Fig. 2. i

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of apart, the section being taken along the line in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a section taken along the line 6 6 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a similar sectional elevation to that shown in Fig. 4 showing the members in another working position.

Fig. Sis a plan section otl a part similar to that shown in Fig. 2, the members being shown in a different position.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic development, showing the hooking device in its disengaged position. Y

The under-carriage, as shown in Fig. 1, is mounted in the usual manner upon the keelson A of the resisting hull. According to the invention, it comprises two elements, a lower fixed element B suitably secured to the said keelson, and an element C which, in the position of use of the gun,`is superposed upon the lirst; this latter element is formed by a crinoline mount forming astep bearing for the pivot or' the top carriage D of any known type, in which is journalled the Cradle E of of the gun barrel. The arrangement formed by the element C, the top carriage D and the oscillating mass E is pivoted by the arms C1 about a shaft F tor which bearings are formed upon the fixed element B. c

Each ot the arms C1 is preferably rigid with a cam C2, on which is adapted to wind a cable or a chain C3, one end of which is attached tothe said cam while the otherend is piroted to theH rod of the piston G of a counterpoise, which comprises an oscillating cylinder H and a springl pressing at one end upon one of the ends of the cylinder and at the other end upon the piston. The lowering Ymechanism comprises no other pivotal connection apart from the shaft F. A 'locking device is provided be# the fixed element B. In the form shown, this locking device comprises a sector'formed as aprojection upon a collar J made in two parts, which is movable in a groove in the lixedelement B. The projecting sector is provided with series of notches J1 adapted Y to engage, for the locking, with corresponding notches C4 formed in projection upon the base ot the` dropping element C. The collar 'J-J'l is providedY over a partof its length,

corresponding to the sector provided with notches, with helical teeth J2 engaging with drivino` worm K loosely mounted upon a ,shaft L which turns in bearings ormed upon `-the fixed element B.

lt is immediately seen that by turning the worm K in therdesired direction, it is possible to bring the'notches J1 o-ut ot engagement with the notches C4 and by a movement in unlocking may be effected by means of theV saine mechanism which serves ior righting and lowering the pivoting part C-Df-Fi. lt is this torni which is illustrated by way of example in the drawing.

The worm K carries at one endone of the parts K1 of a dog or other clutch with which a complementary clutch relement L1 formed upon one of the end faces or' a sleeve L can be brought into engagement, which sleeve L is provided on its opposite end face with a second clutch element L2, this latter element being adapted to be brought Vinto engagement with' a` complementary element hl formed upon a sleeve M which is adapted to slide and turn upon the shaft L.V Y The said sleeve M is adapted to slide in the boss of a pinion N, which forms thedi'iving member of the mechanism for righting and lowering the pivoting mass.: in the example shown, this mechanism comprises a bevel pinion N1 keyed upon one of the ends of a shaft `N2 which turns in the fixed element B and carries at its other end a `worm ila which engages with a worin wheel N4 keyed upon the shaft F. The shaft L is driven by atraiismission gear P-Pl-PZ v.terminating in a handle P3, (Fig. 2), which can. be operated by a gun servant stationed on theV heelson. The same shaft may alternatively belk driven t-h-rouOha *transmission O'ear D s: Q-Ql-QfQ-(M-Q" terminating in a handle QG' (Fig.V l) adapt-ed to be operated" `from theinside of the hull.-

f the gun is assumed to be in the position Vof use shown in Figs. 1 6 inclusive and if it is desired to make ther gun disappear, the handle P3 or the handle Q, as desired, is actuated 'for this purpose. lt vwill Vbe lassumed forl example that the operation is eii'ected by means of the handle P3.

The teeth J1 are superposed upon the teeth C4 and the clutch elementsL1 and K1 are in i engagement, while the clutch element L? is disengaged from the clutch vvelement L1.

The movement of'rotation of thehandle P3 is transmitted through the pinionsl?1 and Ving lever l-S pivoted at rto the iiXed ele-.V

nient. VThe other arm S of this rocking lever forms a fork for displacing through the me! dium of a ring'Mg, the clutch sleeve MV-Mh the dogs of which are thus brought into engagement with the dogs L2 of the sleeve L.

VAs soon as the engagement is established between the clutch elements Ml-VLthe movement of rotation given to the handle drives,`v through this engagement, the pinion N and, through the latter the transmission gear Nl-j N-NB-N consequently the shaft F and with the latter the whole of the pivoting mass C-D-E, `which is then disengaged from its attachment upon the fixed element B,

As it will be seen, the single continuous operation of'the lever P3 has permittedthe pivoting mass to be disengaged, then this disengagement having beeneiect'ed, this mass to be; y

brought into the lowered position shown iin.

dot and dash lines in Fig. l. n f

VArs long as the upper element C bear upon the element B, that is to say, durcontinues to z ing the-whole unscrewing movementA of the Y oi' the pivoting mass, the crinoline mount C leaves its bearing upon the lower element B,

a fork T mounted upon a shaft `TLturning in ,Y

meente the fixed element B is driven by a toothed sector T2 keyed upon the same shaft T1 and dis placed under the action of a spring T4 by a rack T3 which, until this moment, remains pressed aga-inst the crinoline mount C. During this movement, the double clutch Ll--L2 is displaced along the shaft L and brought into the position shown in Fig. 7, in which the said clutch is disengaged from the clutch element K1 carried by the worm K. It has thus been possible to effect the lowering of the piv oting mass without the worm Khaving been actuated.V

Inversely, when it is desired to return the pivoting mass from its concealed position indicated in dot and dash lines in Fig. l into the position of use oi the gun, one or the other of the handles P3 or Q6 is turned in the opposite direction. In doing this, the pivoting mass is first of all moved by the transmission gear Nt-h 3-N2-LT1-N until the element C reaches the vertical position and takes support upon the lower element B. As soon as this support is established, the rack T3 has become lowered and has compressed the spring T4. In its downward movement it moves the fork T by means of the toothed sector T2 and thus returns the sleeve L1-L2 from the position shown in Fig. 7 into that shown in Fig. 4, the effect of which will be to' permit the worm K to be driven. At the commencement of the locking movement, the heel boss moves away from the arm R and the rocking lever` B-S, thus permitting a return spring S1 attached at one end upon the ele ment B and tending constantly to raise the arm R, to return the forli R-S into the position shown in F ig. 2; a spring M3 being thus able to return the sleeve M-Ml--M2 into the position shown in this same figure and by this means break the coupling engagement between the sleeve Ll--L2 and the sleeve M. The continuous turning of the handle P3 permits in this way the pivoting mass to be locked upon the element B by the displacement of the collar J which again wedges or locks the teeth J1 upon the teeth C4.

For completing the locking operation and insuring a perfect connection between the element C, B of the under-carriage, it is possible, as shown in the drawing (Figs. l, 2, 3), to provide, on the rack C, a sector C5 constituting a gripping device upon a corresponding flange provided on the upper part of the iixed element B.

Claims:

l. Apparatus of the class described comprising relatively movable upper and lower carriage parts, a gun operatively mounted f on said upper carriage part, and operative connections between said carriage parts permitting relative movement therebetween comprising unitary connecting means rigid with one ot said parts and pivotally connected with said other part.

i '2. -Apparatus of the Vclassldescribed comprising relatively movable upper `and lower carriage parts, 'a gunioperatively mounted on said upper carriage part, and operative connections between said'carriage parts for relative movement therebetween comprising unitary connecting ymeans rigid with said upper part and pivotally connected with said lower part.

3. Apparatus of therclass described comprising lrelatively movable upper antl'lower carriage parts, a gun operatively mounted on said upper carriage part, means for locking saidparts in `superposed relation, and operativeconnections between said carriage parts to permit relatix'f'e-movement therebetween comlnising unitary connecting means rigid with oneV of `said parts andpivotally connected with said other part..` K

t. Apparatus of the class described comprising relatively movable upper and'lo'wer carriage "parts, a 'gun operatively mounted on said upper carriage part, means for locling said parts in sul'ierposed relation, and

operative 'connections between said carriage parts to permit relative movement therebetween comprising unitary connectiiigm'eans rigid with said upper partand pivotally connetedwith said lower part. 5. Apparatus of the class describedl comprising normally superposed upper Vand lower gun carriage' elem-ents, means oper ati'vely connecting said' elements for relative movement, means 'lockingsaid parts in super posed,rel'ation,means yfor moving said parts relative to one another, and" common actuating means for said locking meansa-ndsaid moving means.

6. Apparatus of the class described comprising normally `superposed upper and lower gun carriage elements, means operatively co'nnecting saidelements for relative movement, means locking said parts in superposed relatioinmea'nsfor moving said parts relative :to one another, actuating-means, and

clutch means connecting said actuatingmeans with said locking and moving means. i

7. Apparatus of the classdescribed comprising normally superposed upper and low er gun carriageeleinents, means operatively connecting said elements for relative movement, means locking said parts in superposed relation, means for moving said parts relative to one another, actuating means, and clutch means movable to operatively connect said actuating means alternately with said locking means and moving means.

8. Apparatus of the class described comprising normally superposed upper and lower gun carriage elements, means operatively connecting said elements for relative movement, means locking said elements in superposed relation, means for moving said elements relativ-e to one another, actuating means, clutch means movable to operatively connect, said factuating means Aalternately with said locking means and moving means, and automatic clutch shifting means.

y 9. Apparatus of the class described comprising normally superposed upper and 10W- er gun carriageelements, means operatively connecting said elements for relative movement, meansvlocking said elements in superposed relation, means for moving said ele* ments relative to one another, actuating means, means movable tooperatively connect said actuating means alternately `With said locking and moving means, and clutch shifting means operated by movement of one of said actuated means to shift said clutch means to engage the' other actuated means.

10. Apparatus of the class described comsrising normally superposed upper and lowerfgun carriage elements, a rotatable lockingde'vice maintaining said elements in normal superposed relatioiniotating means for said device, means pivotally connecting said elements, means for-rotating one of said elements about its pivot, actuating means, a

clutcli ldevice alternately connecting said actuating means with one of said rotating means, and clutch shifting means operated by one ofv said rotating means to shift said clutch into engagement With the other rotating means, f Y

11. Apparatus of theL class described com` A prising normally superposed upper and loW- er gun carriage elements, Vmeans operatively Aconnecting said Velements for relative movement, a rotatable locking device for maintaining said elements -in superposed relation, andV continuously operable actuating means for rotating said locking device and said elements. v l v Y y 12. Apparatus of the class described comprising normally superposed upper and loW.- er gun carriage elements, means operatively -connectingsaid elements for relative pivotal movement, means locking said elements in superposed relation, Vand continuously operable common actuating means for said locking means and said connectingmeans. Y

. In testimony whereof I have signed this specification. Y

NICOLAS EMILIEN METHLIN. 

